Applications For The Second Edition Of The Modern Artisan Project Are Now Open
Want to be the next generation of fashion talent? Apply now for The Modern Artisan project – YOOX NET-A-PORTER and The Prince’s Foundation’s textiles program
The fashion industry thrives on being at the cutting edge of culture, forever evolving as it seeks out fresh perspectives that enable us to see clothing in an entirely different way. Every season, designers showcase new waves of creativity – whether that be alternative silhouettes, new colorways or fresh inspiration. But nothing moves the conversation along in fashion quite like the new wave of talent; the next generation whose lens will shape the industry for decades to come.
In this spirit, YOOX NET-A-PORTER has once again teamed up with The Prince’s Foundation to discover, train and support the very best of emerging creative talent. Its aim? To equip these new-gen designers and makers with key, on-the-ground design skills, insights for applying technology and innovation, training in manufacturing capabilities, plus essential business acumen to forge lifelong careers. Now in its second season, The Modern Artisan project invites fashion and textiles graduates from anywhere in the UK to submit their portfolio for this pioneering 10-month paid training program that begins in September – but be quick, as applications close on June 30.
A eureka moment for Federico Marchetti (the founder of YOOX and chairman of YOOX NET-A-PORTER), the program was conceived in 2018 during a conversation with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Marchetti had been invited to Dumfries House, the storied Scottish estate now home to The Prince’s Foundation, alongside other esteemed members of the fashion industry to discuss sustainability in fashion, and explore how to preserve British craftsmanship skills that were at risk of being lost. The program runs across the UK and Italy, offering an opportunity for graduates from both countries to work together and take part in a series of cultural exchanges. The first phase of the program will take place across YOOX NET-A-PORTER headquarters in London and Milan, before both Italian and British graduates come together for six months of intensive training in residence at Dumfries House, headquarters of The Prince’s Foundation in Scotland.
“The training program is suitable for fashion and textiles graduates with a keen interest in sustainability, and a desire to learn more about responsible design, who would like to enhance their manufacturing skills in a challenging, collaborative and fast-paced environment,” says Jacqueline Farrell, education director for The Prince’s Foundation at Dumfries House. “We’d like to encourage anyone with the relevant skills and an interest in setting up their own business or working in artisanal manufacturing to apply before the deadline.”
Applications are open until 23.59pm BST Wednesday 30 June, 2021. Click here to find out more, and to apply